Defending champs take annual slo-pitch tourney

Sarah Ladik/NNSL photoJunior Bulldog, a player for Showtime from Boyer River, Alta., hits a home run at a game at the Coors Light Slo-Pitch Tournament Saturday, August 2.

Between organizing the tournament and playing herself, president of the local mixed slo-pitch league Rachel Daigneault-Durocher said she had a few opportunities to watch games, and from what she could see, there was some really good, competitive ball played over the weekend.

“Everything has been going really well. It’s been a good year for the tournament,” she said.

The biggest difference was the addition of two umpires to the weekend. In previous years, the teams had to “ump” themselves, something Daigneault-Durocher said had led to some unpleasantness on the field and off.

“This year, the games are running smoothing. There’s a lot less yelling,” she said. “Or what yelling there is is cheering.”

She acknowledged the help of local businesses who have always helped make the Coors tournament a success, but specifically this year the Ptarmigan Inn and Buffalo for donating the rooms and flights for the two umpires from Alberta.

Although road-closures did affect the Yellowknife team’s travel plans – only half of them made it down for the weekend and had to complete their team with Hay Riverites – the overall total number of teams remained the same as last year.

“We had 16 teams signed up, but one backed out,” said Shawna Coleman, noting that the majority of teams also played in last year’s tournament. “It’s been really good.”

Daigneault-Durocher said she was proud of how the community really supported the tournament this year – not only the businesses, but the residents who came out to watch games and support teams despite the myriad of other things scheduled during the weekend. There were also more draws and prizes donated by Molson, the tournament’s main sponsor.

“We’ve had nothing but good comments,” she said. “We had a waiting list for teams this year, and hopefully we’ll see all the same faces next year, plus a few more.”